I couldn't help escape a feeling of uneasiness during the course of this year's Warren Fourth of July parade. While I very much look forward to Clive and his cannon to start the event off with a big bang, I was also saddened by some displays of extreme pessimism and negativity. The man and his mirror was one such exhibit. We have many serious issues to deal with locally, statewide, nationally and internationally, but I feel what was lacking this year in this most popular of events was a clear message of what is right.

It seems that considerable efforts were made towards negative messages and far less on what's working as a nation and a people. It seems that images of Tom Dooleyisms need to be balanced more by examples of the awesome and tremendous good deeds and actions that millions of our citizens make every single day to better the lives of others. Yes, indeed, we have some serious flaws in our society and government, but on this most special of American dates in our history let's express to ourselves more. For both the young and the young at heart, what makes both Vermont and our nation exceptional would be more messages of what we do so well. That I, for one, hope to see more of next year.